5 Essential Spring Morning Rituals
Mornings are my time. I love it when the rest of the world is still sleeping, and I’m starting my day before dawn. There’s something magical about this time. No matter when you wake up, we all have the things that keep us sane. Mine can change throughout the year and sometimes transform with the seasons. That flexibility feels more freeing than sticking to one thing all year.
Morning can make or break anyone’s day. Here are my top five morning essentials:
Coffee-
The queen of the morning. I often fall asleep thinking about that first sip, which is one of the day’s most satisfying parts. The smell washes over me as I pour the french press, fill the mug, and sip. If you’re a coffee drinker, you know this feeling. You know where you stand when it hits you and how your day feels possible. “I’ll get all the things done.”
I sip, standing in the kitchen wearing my cozy robe. No overhead lights are allowed on, and I bask in the soft glow of the twinkle lights we keep up year-round. There’s nothing like that first sip of coffee.
2. Journal-
It’s not what you think; I don’t sit down and write four pages of great work—I bullet journal. I color-code how many steps I took the previous day, write something I’m grateful for, and add things to my living pages. Living pages are new to me and are my favorite part of my journal. I glue down stuff from the week onto two pages of my open book. I collect things like snack wrappers, quotes from tea bags, and any paper things that will fit. I take notes about why and how I use them and usually give them some rating. I love documenting these small parts of my life; they shine on these pages. The colors and styles of packaging get a place to live, and I repeatedly go back to see what the months have collected.
3. Outside Time-
I like to peek at the world before everyone starts making noise. The cold feels good in my lungs, and I keep my coffee close to match the air with a warm sip. I shuffle around in my slippers and robe, scheming up beautiful things I dream of doing in the yard. I see endless weeds I need to pull, branches that need pruning, and piles of dirt everywhere. Lots of potentials…The hummingbirds are up early, too. Unusually the first birds I see. They sing their morning songs as I sit and take it all in. The dogs don’t enjoy the cold air as much as I do and want to go in quickly during this time of day, so this isn’t a big part of the morning but an essential.
4. Cold Plunges-
Dunking myself into cold water for 4 minutes and 15 seconds is a shocking way to start the day…and I love it. I fill the outdoor bathtub with cold water, set a timer, and get in. My breath’s pace picks up when I submerge up to my neck, but it quickly calms down. I stay very still and focus on the podcast I set up. It helps the time pass. Within seconds I can feel the cold seep into my limbs and, after a few minutes, to my bones. When the timer goes off, getting out takes longer as my body feels tighter. It’s not, though, because I can feel the tingles once I step out and wrap myself in a towel.
The thawing-out part is why I do it. There’s nothing else quite like it. My body comes alive as I warm up. I come inside, wear my cozy robe and warm socks, and cuddle with the dogs. I sip more coffee and feel the dopamine rush over me. It’s divine.
5. Earrings-
A tiny decision has a significant impact.
I see this accessory as big, colorful pieces of art that alter my mood depending on which pair I wear. If I require some confidence, I often wear a Clementine set to honor my daughter. If it’s a classy affair, I have oversized pearl studs but still elegant. I find colors that pop against my hair or outfit or go for a monochrome look to keep it aligned. The options are endless.
Being a morning girly is crucial to my day. I need the softness of coffee with my extremely cold plunges to get me going. I start slow and smooth, and it's essential.